by Joan Jonker
As the back kitchen door opened, Molly shouted after her mate. ‘Don’t forget to wash yer hands after yer’ve been to the lavvy.’
Pulling herself back up the kitchen step, Nellie popped her head into the living room. ‘Yer wouldn’t like to come and wipe me bottom for me, would yer?’
‘I’ll have to turn that invitation down this time, sunshine, because my tummy is feeling a bit queasy right now.’
Molly cocked her head, knowing Nellie wouldn’t let it pass without an answer. And sure enough, she heard her mate saying, ‘Yer never know where yer are with that one. She can be as nice as pie one minute, then as miserable as sin the next. If my old ma was here, God rest her soul, she’d say Molly was fickle, moody, and unreliable.’
‘Would yer ma say I was all those things in one go, Nellie, or would she mean I would be in a different mood each day?’
‘I can’t answer that now, girl, ’cos desperation has set in, and if I don’t scarper I’ll disgrace meself.’
Molly hurried to the back window and chuckled when she saw Nellie hotfoot it down the yard, then kick the lavatory door open. ‘I hope she hasn’t kicked it off its hinges,’ she said, ‘the door is falling to pieces as it is.’ She didn’t wait for Nellie to come out of the toilet, instead she began to clear the table. When Nellie came back they’d better get down to business or the afternoon would have been wasted. A good idea would be to have a pencil and paper ready, so they could start writing down what they needed and what they’d like.
So when Nellie came bounding back into the room, a grin on her face and saying, ‘Ooh, I don’t half feel better now,’ Molly pointed to the piece of paper and pencil in front of the carver chair.
‘It’s down to business now, sunshine. No messing about, so we’ll get straight on with making a list of what we want for the wedding. And I thought we’d start with you, because ye’re more important than me.’
That flattering remark added two inches to Nellie’s bosom. ‘That’s really nice of yer to say so, girl, and I’ll make sure that you’re getting some attention as well. It won’t be as much as I get, but then yer couldn’t expect it if yer hat is only half the size of mine and the colour won’t be as outstanding.’
‘What makes yer think that, sunshine? I intend to push the boat out to celebrate Phoebe’s wedding. And Jack will be wearing top hat and tails, to match the splendiferous outfit I’ll be wearing.’
‘Yer’ll swallow yer tongue one of these days, coming out with words as long as our yard.’ Nellie’s eyes narrowed. ‘My old ma, God rest her soul, used to say liars always get found out. And she was right, because I’ve just found you out in a lie. Yer told me your Jack wasn’t getting a new suit because he’s only worn the one he got for Tommy’s wedding twice. So there, Mrs Clever-clogs, yer can’t fool me. And let me give yer a little warning, girl. If yer turn up at the church with a hat what has a wider brim than mine, then I’ll pull it off yer head and stamp me feet on it until it’s too battered for yer to wear.’
Molly grinned. ‘Ay, we’re going to have some fun at this wedding, sunshine, I can feel it in me bones. It’ll keep us going until the wedding after Phoebe’s, whoever that will be.’
‘There’s only your Ruthie left, girl. She’ll be the next.’
Molly’s jaw dropped. ‘She’s only sixteen! Don’t you go putting years on her! There’s Dorothy Corkhill after Phoebe, and she said she’s not getting married for a year or two. But it’ll definitely be before our Ruthie.’
‘We’ve gone off the track again, girl, so can we get back to us going into town to look for whatever it is we fancy? I’ll scrounge some money off George, in case I haven’t got enough in me purse. How are you off for money, girl? It’s no use going with an empty purse.’
‘I’ve got a couple of pound,’ Molly told her. ‘I have been saving a few bob every week. I might have enough for one decent item, either the dress or the hat. We’ll have to wait and see. My Jack doesn’t earn as much as your George, but I think I handle me money better than you. I make it go further.’
There was a tap on the window, and Molly looked up to see Doreen making signs for her to open the front door. Of course Molly’s first thought was Bobby. ‘What’s wrong, sunshine?’
Doreen clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. ‘Why do yer always think the worst, Mam? Everything is fine. So can I come in now, just for five minutes ’cos I’ve got the dinner on.’
Nellie looked up when Doreen came in the room. ‘Hello, girl, are yer on the cadge?’
‘Don’t be so bad-minded, Auntie Nellie. I haven’t come on the cadge, I got everything I needed when I went to the shops. On the contrary, I come bearing gifts.’ Doreen took out two small white envelopes which she’d hidden under her cardigan. ‘Mam, it’s yer birthday next week, and me and Jill were wondering what to buy yer. Our Tommy was asking what he could get yer, as well. Anyway, in the end we decided it would be better to give yer the money, so yer could buy what yer wanted. Especially with the wedding coming up.’ She handed one of the envelopes over. ‘Me and Jill and our Tommy are coming for our tea here that night, so we can all be together for yer birthday tea.’
Molly fingered the envelope. ‘I don’t like taking money off yer, sunshine, yer know that. A birthday card would do, I’d be more than happy with that.’
‘Its too late now, Mam, so buy yerself something that yer like or need.’
‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, girl,’ Nellie said. ‘I wouldn’t refuse if it was me.’
‘Oh, you haven’t been left out, Auntie Nellie, ’cos this envelope is for you. Our Tommy happened to mention to Archie that it was me mam’s birthday and we were thinking of giving her the money to buy herself a hat or something for the wedding. And as it is with families, one tells another one, and Archie told Lily. So it ended up with you getting the same as me mam.’ As she passed the second envelope over, Doreen warned, ‘Archie said to tell yer it’s an early birthday present, so don’t be expecting much when the day comes.’
Nellie’s face was a joy to behold. ‘Ay, girl, shall we open them to see what’s inside?’
‘Just hang on the bell, Nellie,’ Molly said. ‘Aren’t yer going to thank Doreen, and the others when we see them?’ Molly hugged her daughter. ‘Thank you, sunshine. I’ll see Jill tomorrow. But I hope yer haven’t left yerselves skint?’
‘Don’t be silly, Mam, it’s only a couple of pounds. If yer use the money for a hat, make sure it’s as big as Auntie Nellie’s.’ She gave Nellie a quick peck, then turned to the door. ‘I’d better get back to Bobby. I’ll see yer tomorrow.’
Molly followed her to the door. ‘Thank you, sunshine, I’m very grateful. I’ll see Jill and Tommy tomorrow. Ta-ra.’
When Molly came back, it was to see Nellie holding her envelope up to the light coming from the window. ‘Ay, girl, I wonder how much is in here.’
‘Whether it’s ten bob or a pound, yer could have shown some gratitude, Nellie. It’s not the present, it’s the thought that counts.’
The chubby face spread into a beaming smile. ‘I’ll do more than thank them, girl, I’ll give them a hug and kiss like you do. So will yer sit down now, so we can open the envelopes, please.’
They had reason to be more than grateful to their children, for there were ten one pound notes in each envelope, and they were so astonished they couldn’t speak for a few seconds. ‘Oh, my God,’ Molly said, ‘I didn’t expect anything like this!’
‘Me neither, girl, but isn’t it great!’ Nellie’s bottom was working overtime on the seat of her chair. ‘I can buy a smashing hat with this.’
‘Don’t forget what our Doreen said, sunshine. I’ve got to buy a hat as big as yours. And I intend to do that. This will buy me a dress and a hat. And I’ve got the money I’ve been saving up.’ Molly became emotional. ‘We’ve got wonderful children, Nellie, so thoughtful and loving.’ The tears were glistening in her eyes. ‘We are very lucky, sunshine.’
‘Yeah, we’re lu
cky with our families, and our friends, girl. I might not always show it, but I do know how well off I am.’ These were serious words from Nellie, but she was soon back to her usual self. ‘Ay, girl, we don’t have to wait until pay day now, we can go to town tomorrow. What d’yer say?’
‘I say life is wonderful, sunshine, and going to town tomorrow is the icing on the cake. We’ll leave here at half ten, and we’ll have time to look around. And treat ourselves to a snack. Oh, boy, happy days.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
Molly and Nellie were walking down the street, arm in arm, when a voice behind them asked, ‘Where are you two off to? Got a heavy date have yer?’
The friends turned to find Phoebe and Lily just a yard behind them. ‘We have got a date,’ Nellie said, ‘but don’t tell yer dad ’cos yer know he’s got no sense of humour.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘Are you and Phoebe going to see about the dresses for the wedding, or is that still a secret?’
‘It’s no secret that we’re going to see about the dresses, Mrs Mac,’ Phoebe told her. ‘But the dresses themselves are secret, and will remain so until the wedding.’
Molly nodded. ‘Quite right too, sunshine. You keep them under cover until the big day.’
‘Shall we move on, we’re in people’s way,’ Lily said, smiling as she moved back to let a neighbour with a pram get past. ‘If we’re all going into town we may as well get the same bus. Or tram if one comes along first.’
Molly’s eyes widened as she looked over Nellie’s head at Lily. ‘Oh, no, you go on ahead, yer walk quicker than us.’ She was thinking that if they got off at the same stop in town, it could be near the shop where Phoebe was getting her dress, and if Nellie knew, wild horses wouldn’t stop her from sneaking in. So Molly sent a clear message with her eyes and shaking head. ‘Go ahead, we’ll follow at our own pace.’
And this time Lily got the message. ‘Come on, Phoebe, we can run faster than these two, our legs are younger.’ She cupped Phoebe’s elbow and urged her forward. ‘I’ll see yer tonight, Mam! Ta-ra, and happy shopping.’
Nellie watched the two girls hurry away, then when they’d turned the corner into the main road she said, ‘Well, how d’yer like that! They could have waited and walked with us, we’re not two doddering old women what can’t keep up with them. Just wait until I see our Lily tonight. She won’t half get a piece of my mind.’
‘It was me that encouraged them to go on ahead, sunshine, and I did it on purpose. What if they said they’d meet up with us when Phoebe had sorted her dress out? I mean, they’re not going to be hours in the shop, are they? And I don’t want anyone with me when I buy me hat, or dress. The hat is the main buy for me, it’s what people see before anything else. Especially if it’s got that film star look.’
Nellie’s lips were clamped together and her head was nodding as she listened to Molly’s words. ‘Good thinking, girl, good thinking. You and me are going to be the stars of the show. We’ll knock ’em dead when we walk in the church.’
‘Well, I wouldn’t like anything as drastic as that to happen, sunshine. And Phoebe and her bridesmaids are going to be the stars of the show, that’s only fair. But you and me can be a close second.’
That satisfied the little woman, and her chubby face creased. ‘Ye’re right as usual, girl. And if we happen to spot Phoebe and our Lily while we’re going round the shops, we’ll do a bunk so they won’t see us. It’s tit for tat, isn’t it? They won’t let us into their secret, so sod them, that’s what I say. We won’t let them into ours.’
Molly put an arm across Nellie’s shoulders. ‘That’s right, sunshine, we’ll keep everything under wraps. And now we’d better get a move on, or the day will be over before we start.’
The two mates walked towards the bus stop, and they reached it just as a bus came along. ‘Perfect timing,’ Molly said. ‘Go on, you get on first and see if there’s an empty seat for two. I’ll pay the fares going, and you can pay coming home.’
Nellie claimed a window seat, leaving Molly perched on the outside and holding on to the back of the seat in front, so she wouldn’t fall off. Every time the bus swayed, Molly expected to slide into the aisle, and she gripped the seat in front so hard her knuckles were white. All the time, Nellie was gazing out of the window and giving a running commentary on the shops they passed, and the Mary Ellens on the corner of each street with their carts, selling fruit and veg, or flowers. They added colour to the streets of Liverpool as they vied with each other for trade.
‘Ay, I’d make a good Mary Ellen,’ Nellie said. ‘I could shout louder than them, and I’d get more custom.’
The more she turned, the more Molly had to hang on like grim death. In the end she said, ‘For heaven’s sake, Nellie, will yer keep still, or yer’ll push me off the seat altogether.’
‘Ah, are yer not comfortable, girl?’ Nellie cast an eye out of the window and saw they were nearing London Road. ‘I’d swap places with yer, but it’s not worth it now, we’re nearly there. Just hang on until the next stop, that’s where we’ll be getting off if we want to look in the shops down here.’
Even though Molly was uncomfortable and praying for their stop to come, she couldn’t help laughing at the expression on her mate’s face. Most people could appear sympathetic without trying, but not Nellie. She had to make a big show by pushing her lips upward to meet her nose, and her eyes screwed up so much they disappeared completely for a few seconds. Then out of a face that was unrecognizable, she said, ‘Ah, I’m really sorry, girl, my heart bleeds for yer.’
‘Nellie, yer kindness is killing me. But could yer turn sideways so my bottom can feel the seat. It doesn’t know where it is because it’s numb.’
Now Nellie was never good on thinking of the best way to do things, and this was no exception. Instead of turning her back to the window to give more room to Molly, she turned her back on her mate and in the process knocked her off the seat completely. If it hadn’t been for the woman sitting in the seat opposite, who was aware of Molly’s difficulties and acted quickly to lend a hand, Molly would have ended up on the floor in the aisle.
‘What are yer doing, girl?’ Nellie looked surprised. ‘Yer gave me a fright then. I thought yer were going to fall on yer backside! It’s not like you to be so clumsy.’
Strong words were ready to come from Molly’s mouth, but Nellie was saved by the bell being rung by the conductor. And as it was their stop, they were standing on the pavement before Molly was able to give vent to her feelings. ‘Ye’re a smasher, Nellie, no doubt about that! I could have broken me ruddy back, there, and you didn’t turn a ruddy hair!’
Nellie pursed her lips while her brain repeated Molly’s words. Then she said, ‘Ooh, yer must be in a real bad temper, girl, ’cos yer used the word “ruddy” twice, and that’s not like you. I hope yer don’t keep it up for long or it’s not going to be very nice for me if I’m trying posh hats on, and you’ve got a face on yer what would stop a clock.’
‘Is that all ye’re worried about, Nellie? It’s a pity yer haven’t got better things to do than think about yerself. I could have come a cropper on that bus because of you, but all you’re thinking of is a flaming hat!’
‘Not a flaming hat, girl, but me wedding hat! And yours if it comes to that. Mind you, no respectable hat would want to be tried on by you, not with the gob on yer.’
Nellie’s expressions never failed to bring Molly round. How could you fall out with someone who had the face of a cherub? ‘Okay, I should know by now that yer don’t know what an apology is, so I shouldn’t expect one. It would be nice to have one, though, but who am I to try and change the habits of a lifetime? So let’s put our differences aside and set out to enjoy ourselves courtesy of our very generous children. Put yer leg in, sunshine, and let us sally forth.’
Nellie’s face was a study. Why the hell couldn’t her mate speak English like everyone else? Or were some of the words she used made up out of her head? Perhaps she didn’t understand them herself, and was just sh
owing off. Best to say nowt and let her get on with it. It takes all sorts to make a world, as her old ma used to say, God rest her soul, and she was right. But what would the old girl have thought about Molly, with her fancy words? She’d have had a ruddy good laugh, that’s what she would have done. There was nothing her ma liked better than a ruddy good belly laugh.
‘Ye’re very quiet, sunshine,’ Molly said. ‘What are yer looking so serious for? Come on, tell me what’s on yer mind.’
‘Well, to tell yer the truth, girl, I was wondering what my old ma would have made of you. I think yer’d have got on very well together, because yer wouldn’t have been able to understand each other. She’d think you were hoity-toity and laugh at some of the words yer come out with. And with you never swearing, well, you wouldn’t know what to say to each other.’
‘Nellie McDonough, it’s not me that’s the snob, it’s you,’ Molly told her. ‘I was born in a two-up-two-down house, and I still live in one. And what’s more, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Like yerself I’ve many a time been skint, not knowing where the next penny was coming from, robbing Peter to pay Paul. I’ve shared a loaf of bread with yer when the kids were little, so don’t you dare say I’m a ruddy hoity-toity snob!’
Nellie’s whole body was shaking by this time. ‘That’s more like it, girl, you give me hell and yer’ll feel a lot better. And when yer’ve got it all off yer chest, then perhaps we can start enjoying ourselves.’ She gave Molly a dig in the ribs. ‘Ay, girl, it’s a good job it’s not me what’s got to get it off me chest, ’cos the size of mine, we’d be here until it was dark.’
‘Right, well, where shall we start, sunshine? There’s Lewis’s, Owen Owen, and that shop in Bold Street. None of them are cheap, but we can always walk out if there’s nothing suitable. And there’s plenty of smaller shops we can look in. We’ve got time on our side because I’ve told Jack I don’t know when I’ll be home. He can always send Ruthie to the chippy if their tummies start rumbling.’
